Difference between revisions of "Vorinism"

|related=[[Alethkar]], [[Jah Keved]], [[Kharbranth]], [[New Natanan]], [[Thaylenah]]

The Vorin creationdoctrine storyclaims placesthat the Almighty created both plants and creatures, including mankind's.{{book originsref|sa1|part=ars}} atHe too created the [[Tranquiline Halls]], aand paradiseRoshar, fromthrough whichthe theyuse were forced off byof the [[VoidbringersSoulcaster]]s.{{book ref|sa1|7}} Through his goodness, wickedand creaturesthe forgedcreation inof [[Damnation]].good Thethings, the cosmere bore forth the Voidbringers possessas terriblea destructiverival powerevil to his goodness. Forged in [[Damnation]], andthey are regarded as the embodiment of evil, and the polar opposite of the Almighty.{{book ref|sa1|45}}{{book ref|sa2|32}}

In the Alethi variety of Vorinism, fighting is considered the most important Calling, as the Almighty depends on Alethi to join the Heralds' army in their afterlife and win back the Tranquiline Halls.{{book ref|sa1|2818}} The ardents are supposed to help someone follow their Calling, helping them to set goals for them to achieve in furtherance of it.{{book ref|sa1|18}} When one furthers their Calling enough, they '''Elevate''', one goes through multiple Elevations in the pursuance of their Calling.{{book ref|sa1|18}}{{book ref|sa4|22}}

Symmetry is considered holy in Vorinism. Among others, [[glyph]]s are shaped symmetrically, [[Silver Kingdoms]] have perfectly symmetrical names, the heralds have symmetric names, and many people's names are close to symmetrical. However, people who have names that are actually symmetric are looked down on as "too holy" and therefore blasphemous.{{book ref|sa2|29}} Even the Double Eye of the Almighty, which represents the Almighty and the world itself, is designed with two-fold symmetry.{{book ref|sa1|part=ars}}{{file ref|TWoK_Front_Endsheet.jpg|Double Eye of the Almighty}}

Traditional Vorin temples are circular and domed, with a sloping mound in the center. Usually, the dome is exactly ten feet tall at its highest point. They are often filled with statues and pictures of the Heralds.{{book ref|sa1|18}} A major city is expected to have a separate temple for each Herald.{{file ref|Thaylen City.jpg|Map of Thaylen City}}{{file ref|Kholinar.jpg|Map of Kholinar}} Additionally, wealthy lighteye families will often have private chapels, and the ardentia maintains monasteries throughout the continent. Such monasteries, like [[Jokasha Monastery|Jokasha]], are often seen as highly desirable postings, with many ardents working decades to get into one.{{book ref|sa3|i|2}}

In higher classes of [[Alethkar]], much of the religious observation falls to the the priesthood, the [[Ardent]]ia, rather than the lighteyes themselves. The ardents in the employ of a lighteye are supposed to perform the required rituals for their master, so that the lighteyes do not have to worry about the spiritual aspect of their lives.{{book ref|sa2|i|12}}

[[File:{{image|Vorin_Havah.jpg|side=right|width=200px|thumb|Vorin woman, with covered safehand on display.]]}}

The Vorin religion is closely interwoven with the culture of the Vorin kingdoms, to the point where the same word is applied to both the faith and the culture. Its modern form appears to be based on the book ''[[Arts and Majesty]]'', outlining what is proper for men and women. Women are expected to completely cover their left hand (called [[Safehand]] in Vorin vernacular) from the age of roughly eleven or twelve, as it is generally considered obscene.{{book ref|sa1|3}}{{book ref|sa2|19}} They are, however, permitted to learn how to read and write, and expected to manage a household and business. Feminine arts include painting, reading, writing, and music. Flutes are a commonly chosen instrument, however, it is rare for side-blown flutes to be found on Roshar.{{book ref|sa1|57}} More confrontational positions, such as politics and military, are considered masculine -- however, men are forbidden (or at least discouraged) from learning the alphabet and a man who is literate is considered unseemly.{{book ref|tsm|19}}{{cite}} Additionally, Vorinism differentiates between feminine and masculine foods (sweet and spicy). Those division between genders do not apply to ardents, who are considered genderless from cultural standpoint, and thus permitted to engage in both feminine and masculine activities. By tradition, every person can learn a trade at a Vorin temple, including those of the opposite gender.{{book ref|sa2|63}}

The Right of Travel is derived from the [[Herald]]s teaching that all borders should be open.{{book ref|sa2|84}} More specifically, it was established by [[Nale]], as a way to protect the weak from abuses of power.{{book ref|sa4|47}} It also serves as a form of addressing the power imbalance between lighteyes and darkeyes, as most darkeyes are able to leave a land that is poorly managed.{{wob ref|2782}}

Most people in Vorin kingdoms have the Right to Learn professions in any temple of the [[Almighty]].{{book ref|sa2|63}} Larger Vorin temples have at least one [[ardent]] who is an expert in any given art or trade, and they provide training to anyone who's interested, regardless of eye color. This Right may not be available to the lower nahn ranks.{{book ref|sa2|64}}

[[File:{{image|Kadash.jpg|thumb|side=right|width=200px|<center><small>by {{a|botanicaxu}}</small></center> [[Kadash]], a Vorin ardent]]}}

Back in the early days of the religion, now called '''Old Vorinism''', the [[Knights Radiant]] were an important part of the faith, and [[Immortal Words#The First Ideal|the First Ideal]] was a religious doctrine. The primary tenet of the faith, as far as can be ascertained, was that how one lived was far more important than what one had accomplished. Religion premeatedpermeated every aspect of life, allowing the ardents to own land and property.{{book ref|sa1|53}}

[[File:{{image|Rushu.png|thumb|side=right|width=200px|<center><small>by {{a|treefin}}</small></center> [[Rushu]], a scholarresearcher ardent]]}}

With the coming of the [[Everstorm]] and the return of the [[Knights Radiant]], the future of Vorinism is unclear. Many of its tenets, chief among them that the [[Aharietiam]] was the final desolationDesolation, have been proven wrong, the Heralds are quite mad, and the leaders of the largest anti-Odium faction are a heretic and an atheist.{{book ref|sa3|122}} For now, the church strives to retain control through hamfisted means like-- most notably, the Curates' sudden excommunication of [[Dalinar Kholin]], althoughwho, thisat mightthe nottime, had began to loudly proclaim Almighty's death. This is unlikely to be sufficient, however, as there are some who believe that now is the time to break free from Vorinism.{{book ref|sa3|100}}{{book ref|sa3|107}}